Button-up window treatment

ABSTRACT

The window treatment has a flexible panel adapted to be situated over a window. The panel has a front surface and a back surface. A set of substantially vertically arranged buttons are affixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. A strap extends along the back panel surface. The strap has at least one button hole adapted to receive a selected one of the buttons from the button set on the front of the panel to retain a rolled portion of the panel in a raised position determined by the button selected.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING”, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAMLISTING APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to window treatments and more particularlyto a window treatment such as a shade that can be raised to variouslevels and secure at the raised level by a simple system of buttons andstraps.

2. Description of Prior Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR1.97 and 1.98

Window treatments of various types are well known in the art. Theyinclude curtains, shades, drapes, fabric panels, blinds, valances andthey like and may be made of fabric, wood, metal, jute, bamboo or thelike. Such window treatments are usually employed to reduce the amountof light passing through the window over which they are mounted andoften utilize mechanisms including systems of draw strings and pulleysto permit the window treatment to be raised to a desired level and to besecured at that level.

Such mechanisms are costly and complicated. Further, they are prone tobreaking, especially after years of use. Moreover, they can be dangerousbecause small children can get their head tangled in the draw stringsand hang themselves.

I am aware of a window treatment designed to be raised to differentlevels and secured using sets of horizontally arranged buttons andloops, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,642 issued Dec. 21, 2004 toTitus et al. entitled: “Window Treatment Panels.” However, the Tituswindow treatment is limited in the levels at which the panels can besecured, is difficult to use and generally not aesthetically pleasing inappearance.

It is, therefore, a prime object of the present invention to provide awindow treatment that can be raised and secured at different levelsutilizing a simple, inexpensive, easy to operate and aestheticallypleasing button system.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a windowtreatment that can be raised and secured at different levels that is notdangerous to small children.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a windowtreatment that can be raised and secured at different levels that ismade up of a small number of simple parts that cooperate togetherreliably to provide a window treatment with a long useful life.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In general, those objects are achieved through the use of a simplebutton and strap system that permits the lower edge of the windowtreatment to be rolled up to the desired level and then to be secured atthat level by simple inserting buttons into selected button holes on thestraps.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a windowtreatment is provided including a flexible panel. Means are provided forsecuring the top of the panel such that the panel is situated over awindow. The panel has a front surface and a back surface. A set ofsubstantially vertically arranged buttons are affixed at spacedintervals on the front panel surface. A strap extends along the backpanel surface. The strap has at least one button hole adapted to receivea selected one of the buttons from the button set on the front of thepanel to retain a rolled portion of the panel in a raised positiondetermined by the button selected.

A second set of substantially vertically arranged buttons is preferablyaffixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. A second strapextends along the back panel surface. The second strap has at least onebutton hole adapted to receive a selected one of the buttons from thesecond set.

Preferably, the second set of buttons is spaced from the first set ofbuttons and the second strap is spaced from the first strap.

Means are provided for attaching one end of the first strap proximatethe top of the panel. Means are also provided for attaching one end ofthe second strap proximate the top of the panel.

Preferably, a strip of binding material is situated on the front panelsurface. The buttons of the first set are fixed to the front panelsurface through the binding strip. Likewise, a second strip of bindingmaterial is situated on the front panel surface and the buttons of thesecond set are fixed to the front panel surface through the secondbinding strip.

The second set of buttons is preferably affixed along a substantiallyvertical line at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. The secondset of buttons is spaced from the first set of buttons. The second strapis spaced from the first strap.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a windowtreatment is provided including a flexible panel. Means are provided forsecuring the top of the panel such that the panel is situated over awindow. The panel has a front surface and a back surface. A set ofsubstantially vertically arranged buttons is affixed at spaced intervalson the front panel surface. A strap extends along the back panelsurface. The strap has at least two button holes adapted to respectivelyreceive a selected two of the buttons to retain a rolled portion of thepanel in a raised position determined by the buttons selected.

Preferably, a second set of substantially vertically arranged buttons isaffixed at spaced intervals on the front panel surface. The windowtreatment also has a second strap extending along the back panelsurface. The second strap has at least two button holes adapted torespectively receive a selected two buttons of the second set ofbuttons.

Preferably, the second set of buttons is spaced from the first set ofbuttons and the second strap is spaced from the first strap.

Means are provided for attaching one end of the first strap proximatethe top of the panel. Means are also provided for attaching on end ofthe second strap to the top of the panel.

A strip of binding material is situated on the front panel surface. Thebuttons of the first set are fixed to the front panel surface throughsaid binding strip. Likewise, a second strip of binding material issituated on the front panel surface. The buttons of the second set arefixed to the front panel surface through the second binding strip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF DRAWINGS

To these and to such other objects that may hereinafter appears, thepresent invention relates to a button-up window treatment as describedin detail in the following specification, and recited in the annexedclaims, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which likenumerals refer to like parts and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front isometric view of a first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention as it would appear mounted on a window with the bottomedge rolled and secured;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of one edge of thewindow treatment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of one edge of a second preferred embodimentof the present invention showing one of the button holed straps extendedoutwardly to show the double button hole configuration;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the lower portion of one edge of thewindow treatment of FIG. 3 showing the strap of the second preferredembodiment being pulled under the roller portion of the panel; and

FIG. 5 shows the strap of the second preferred embodiment attached totwo buttons on the front of the panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in the drawings, the window treatment of the presentinvention is shown for purposes of illustration in the form of a Romanshade with narrow wooded slates, As seen in FIG. 1, the shade is adaptedto be mounted over a window by suspending it from a conventional curtainsupport rod 10. It comprises a flexible panel 12 with a front surface 14and a back surface 16.

The top of the panel is provided with a plurality of spaced loops 18.Loops 18 are adapted to receive rod 10 so as to suspend panel 12 fromrod 10 in a conventional manner.

Three sets of spaced, vertically aligned buttons 20 are affixed atspaced intervals on the front panel surface 12. One set of buttons 20 issituated proximate each edge of the front panel surface. The third setof buttons 20 is situated approximately in the middle of the panel.

Preferably, a three binding strips are situated on the front panelsurface, one at each edge and one in the middle. The sets of buttons 20are fixed to the panel surface through the binding strips 22. Some ofthe rod-receiving loops 18 are preferably formed as part of the bindingstrips.

Three straps 24 are provided. A different one of the straps 24 isaligned with each of the binding strips 22. Each of the straps 24 isattached at its top end to the top of panel 12 and preferably isintegral with, and a part of, the binding strip 22 with which it isaligned.

The straps 24 are each provided with at least one button hole 26. In thefirst preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, each strap 24 has asingle button hole 26. In the second preferred embodiment shown in FIGS.3, 4 and 5, each strap 24 has two spaced button holes 26.

The operation of the window treatment of the present invention isillustrated in the drawings. After the window treatment is mounted overthe window, the bottom portion of panel 12 is rolled up to the desiredlevel. The bottom portion of each of the straps 24 is pulled under therolled portion of the panel and parallel to the buttons on the alignedbinding strip 22. The button holes 26 on each strap 24 are lined up withthe nearest button on the binding strip and the buttons are receivedthrough the button holes to secure the rolled portion of the panel inthe desired position. One or two buttons per set are secured, dependingupon the number of button holes on the strap. Of course, only a singlebutton per set can be utilized, even if two button holes are provided onthe strap, if desired.

It will now be appreciated that the present invention relates to awindow treatment that can be raised and secured at different levelsutilizing a simple, inexpensive, easy to operate and aestheticallypleasing button system. The structure is such that it is not dangerousto small children because no draw strings are involved. Further, it ismade up of a small number of simple parts that cooperate togetherreliably to provide a window treatment with a long useful life.

While only a limited number of preferred embodiments of the presentinvention have been disclosed for purposes of illustration, it isobvious that many modifications and variations could be made thereto. Itis intended to cover all of those modifications and variations whichfall within the scope of the present invention, as defined by thefollowing claims.

1. A window treatment comprising a flexible panel, means for securingthe top of said panel such that said panel is situated over a window,said panel having a front surface and a back surface, a set ofsubstantially vertically arranged buttons affixed at spaced intervals onsaid front panel surface and a strap extending along said back panelsurface, said strap having at least one button hole adapted to receive aselected one of said buttons from said set to retain a rolled portion ofsaid panel in a raised position determined by the button selected. 2.The window treatment of claim 1 further comprising a second set ofsubstantially vertically arranged buttons affixed at spaced intervals onsaid front panel surface.
 3. The window treatment of claim 2 furthercomprising a second strap extending along said back panel surface, saidsecond strap having at least one button hole adapted to receive aselected one of said buttons from said second set.
 4. The windowtreatment of claim 2 wherein said second set of buttons is spaced fromsaid set of buttons.
 5. The window treatment of claim 3 wherein saidsecond strap is spaced from said strap.
 6. The window treatment of claim1 further comprising means for attaching one end of said strap proximatethe top of said panel.
 7. The window treatment of claim 3 furthercomprising means for attaching one end of said second strap proximatethe top of said panel.
 8. The window treatment of claim 1 furthercomprising a strip of binding material situated on said front panelsurface wherein said buttons of said set are fixed to said front panelsurface through said binding strip.
 9. The window treatment of claim 8further comprising a second set of buttons affixed along a substantiallyvertical line at spaced intervals on said front panel surface.
 10. Thewindow treatment of claim 9 further comprising a second strip of bindingmaterial situated on said front panel surface, wherein said buttons ofsaid second set are fixed to said front panel surface through saidsecond binding strip.
 11. The window treatment of claim 2 furthercomprising a second strap extending along said back panel surface, saidsecond strap having at least one button hole.
 12. The window treatmentof claim 11 wherein said second set of buttons is spaced from said setof buttons.
 13. The window treatment of claim 12 wherein said secondstrap is spaced from said strap.
 14. The window treatment of claim 13further comprising means for attaching one end of said strap proximatethe top of said panel.
 15. The window treatment of claim 14 furthercomprising means for attaching one end of said second strap proximatethe top of said panel.
 16. The window treatment of claim 15 furthercomprising a strip of binding material situated proximate one side ofsaid front panel surface wherein said buttons of said set are fixed tosaid front panel surface through said binding strip.
 17. The windowtreatment of claim 16 further comprising a second strip of bindingmaterial situated proximate the other side of said front panel surface,wherein said buttons of said second set are fixed to said front panelsurface through said second binding strip.
 18. A window treatmentcomprising a flexible panel, means for securing the top of said panelsuch that the panel is situated over a window, said panel having a frontsurface and a back surface, a set of substantially vertically arrangedbuttons affixed at spaced intervals on said front panel surface and astrap extending along said back panel surface, said strap having atleast two button holes adapted to respectively receive a selected two ofsaid buttons to retain a rolled portion of said panel in a raisedposition determined by the buttons selected.
 19. The window treatment ofclaim 19 further comprising a second set of substantially, verticallyarranged buttons affixed at spaced intervals on said front panelsurface.
 20. The window treatment of claim 19 further comprising asecond strap extending along said back panel surface, said second straphaving at least two button holes adapted to respectively receive aselected two buttons of said second set of buttons.
 21. The windowtreatment of claim 18 wherein said second set of buttons is spaced fromsaid set of buttons.
 22. The window treatment of claim 20 wherein saidsecond strap is spaced from said strap.
 23. The window treatment ofclaim 8 further comprising means for attaching one end of said strapproximate the top of said panel.
 24. The window treatment of claim 20further comprising means for attaching one end of said second strapproximate the top of said panel.
 25. The window treatment of claim 18further comprising a strip of binding material situated on said frontpanel surface, wherein said buttons of said set are fixed to said frontpanel surface through said binding strip.
 26. The window treatment ofclaim 25 further comprising a second set of vertically arranged buttonsaffixed on said front panel surface.
 27. The window treatment of claim26 further comprising a second strip of binding material situated onsaid front panel surface, wherein said buttons of said second set arefixed to said front panel surface through said second binding strip.